Is Therapy Right For Me?
Seeking therapy is an individual choice. Individuals tend to seek out therapy when their current issues or emotional states are too overwhelming and negatively impacting their daily lives. Participating in therapy is more than simply talking to someone about your issues. The goal of therapy is to help you develop new perspectives and insights as well as techniques and coping skills so that you have the tools to overcome your obstacles and achieve happiness and well-being. Therapy works best for individuals who are interested in experiencing optimal mental and emotional health by taking responsibility, engaging in self-awareness, and actively working toward making positive and lasting changes.
Can I participate in Therapy With You If I Do Not Live in San Diego?
Yes. I offer secure online video therapy sessions, or telemedicine, for clients who live anywhere in California, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa, and District of Columbia. I use a free and and confidential, HIPAA compliant video platform through doxy.me.
What Is Therapy Like?
Every person’s experience of therapy is unique as each therapy session is set up to help address the client’s specific goals. I first provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment for my client so we can build a trusting relationship with one another. I then ask each client to participate in an initial assessment in which I ask a series of questions so that I can better understand why he or she is seeking therapy as well as the factors that led to the current situation. After the initial assessment, I work collaboratively with the client to formulate specific goals for therapy.
In the beginning stages of therapy, clients tend to participate in weekly therapy sessions that last 45-50 minutes. Therapy can be short term, focusing on a specific situation or issue, or longer term, focusing on more complex issues. Often times clients are asked to do “homework” in between sessions such as keeping records of mood or behavior or implementing specific techniques learned in the therapy session. The purpose of therapy is to provide lasting positive changes and, therefore, the homework allows the clients to transfer the techniques and coping skills learned in the session to their daily lives.
Therapy is often completed when the issues that initially brought the client to therapy has been resolved, when the client begins to feel good about him or herself, and when the client’s positive coping skills and new perspectives become an automatic part of his or her life.
Is Therapy Confidential?
The information disclosed by the client during a therapy session is confidential except for following situations:
- A client’s threat of serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to report this to the police.
- A client’s intent to harm him or herself. The therapist will make every effort work with the client in order to ensure his or her safety, but if the client is not safe, additional measures, such as hospitalization, may be taken.
- Suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities, such as child protective services or adult protective services.
Will My Insurance Cover The Cost of Therapy?
Since every person’s insurance plan is different, it is important to contact your insurance company and ask if they cover mental health services. If your insurance does cover mental health services, other important questions to ask are:
- What are my benefits for mental health?
- How much of the cost does my insurance cover per session with an in network provider?
- How much of the cost does my insurance cover per session with an out-of-network provider?
- How many sessions does my insurance plan cover?
- Do I need a pre authorization in order to begin therapy?
- If interested in secure video sessions, will my insurance cover them?
What Is The First Step To Starting Therapy?
If you are interested in starting therapy, the first step is to contact me and ask to set up a free phone consultation. The purpose of the free phone consultation is to allow you the chance to get to know me and to decide if I am the right therapist for you with no risk or obligation. It is also a chance for me to answer any further questions that you may have about therapy.
